One trade every NBA team needs to make
By Tom West
Detroit Pistons
The Pistons are finally on the rise, with Andre Drummond leading the way as they emerge as a playoff team in the East. With the likes of Reggie Jackson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Marcus Morris and rookie Stanley Johnson, they have multiple pieces in place that make them an intriguing team going forward.
In terms of their possible activity before the NBA trade deadline, it’s hard to see them making many moves. At least, nothing major that is. They have young talent in place and don’t have many trade assets, which isn’t a recipe to cook up a franchise-changing deal.
That being said, could it be beneficial for them to look into one of the most unique narratives available before the February 18 deadline and reunite the Morris twins?
As David Mayo of MLive has discussed, it’s something they may look into:
"The Suns are sellers going into the Feb. 18 trade deadline and the Pistons might like to create a package to secure Markieff Morris, who fits Detroit coach Stan Van Gundy’s stated guideline that he would not trade an asset unless the incoming player had multiple remaining years on his contract. Both of the Morris brothers are under contract through the 2018-19 season. Marcus Morris has said he knows what his brother’s wishes are, and that “they haven’t changed,” since Markieff Morris asked last summer to be traded."
Markieff Morris recently had the second highest scoring game of his career during the Suns’ first game with their new head coach Earl Watson. Yet, despite tallying 30 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and two blocks against the Raptors, it’s hard to see Morris being completely content in Phoenix again. Even with a new coach, he’s not going to be a joyful star over night. And as Mayo pointed out, his brother Marcus actually said Markieff feels no different than he did at the start of the season.
It’s surprising the Suns haven’t traded him sooner, and this should only make it easier for the Pistons to acquire him.
Markieff is the kind of talented and versatile forward that could help the Pistons with smaller lineups to space the floor for Drummond while maintaining good size and defense. Plus, he’ll be happier alongside his brother. Maybe if the Pistons create a package to give the Suns a couple of role players, they can bring Markieff to Detroit and end his troubled tenure in Phoenix.
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